Become a Police Officer

See Yourself Here

Known for its parks, paths and picturesque Main Street, Greenville, SC is a small city with a vibrant atmosphere. At the Greenville Police Department, we pride ourselves on our relationships with residents and visitors that highlight our vision of becoming the most effective community-focused police agency in America. Come join a department with a family atmosphere and that Southern hospitality you’ve been searching for.

  1. Hiring Requirements
  2. Hiring Process
  3. EVENTS
  4. Training
  5. LATERAL OFFICERS
  6. Downloads

To be considered for employment, all applicants must, at a minimum: 

  • Be at least 21 years of age
  • Be a United States citizen
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Have or be able to obtain a valid South Carolina driver's license
  • Have not had a driver's license suspension during the last 5 years for DUI; leaving the scene of an accident; reckless homicide; or involuntary manslaughter
  • Have never been convicted of a felony or domestic violence
  • Have never been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude or a misdemeanor carrying a possible sentence of more than 1 year
  • Have not defaulted on a government or student loan

Police Officer Application:  How To Apply


The application for police officer is currently closed until early spring 2024.

CLICK HERE to sign up for email notifications.  You will be notified in 2024 when the police officer application is open.


All communication regarding your application will arrive via our application portal email address at info@governmentjobs.com.  Be sure to add info@governmentjobs.com to your contact list in order to receive important communications from us regarding your application status.

You will need the following information available to complete your application for Police Officer:

  1. List of all addresses/residences since age 16
  2. A minimum of 5 total references: 3 professional and 2 personal, including names, email addresses and phone numbers
  3. 10 years of employment history, including:
    • Company name, address and phone number
    • Supervisor name
    • Job duties
  4. The job history portion of the application is followed by a series of questions to determine your eligibility for the position. All questions must be answered truthfully and completely. You may be disqualified from the hiring process if inaccuracies are discovered later on.  
  5. Please review the above "Hiring Requirements" to ensure you are eligible to submit an application for the Police Officer position.  

If you are viewing this job posting on an external website, please note that resumes and employment applications are not accepted from 3rd party websites. All applications for employment must be made by going to https://jobs.greenvillesc.gov.  

If you have recently applied for a position with us, please note that communication regarding your application will arrive via our application portal email address at info@governmentjobs.com or from our GPD Recruiting email at gpdrecruiting@greenvillesc.gov.  Be sure to add these addresses to your contact list in order to receive important communications from us regarding your application status.

Starting Salary

Qualifications
Hourly Rate
(effective 
Jan 1, 2022)
Annual Salary
(43-hr work week)
Starting Salary
$22.65
$50,645.40
Associate's degree
+$1.00/hr incentive
 
Qualified Veteran*
​*Honorable Discharge or still serving
+$1.00/hr incentive
  
Bachelor's/master's degree
+$1.50/hr incentive
 

​Lateral/sworn officers
 
Salary based on
prior experience and
formal training. 
Language incentive
+$0.75/hr incentive
 

CONTACT US!

gpdrecruiting@greenvillesc.gov

Sergeant Michelle Lentz

Corporal John Blassingame

Salary Range

The Greenville Police Department utilizes four ranks for non-supervisory personnel: Recruit Officer (PO-0), Police Officer 1 (PO1), Police Officer 2 (PO2) and Police Officer 3 (PO3). All new officers who have no police experience start out at the Recruit rank. Lateral officers may start at PO1, PO2 or PO3 based on years of experience and formal elective training.  

Within each rank, salary ascends on a step program until the range maximum is met. Officers may be promoted to PO2 or PO3 after completion of the required years of service and attending additional training. 

Promotions to Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Major are based on a competitive testing process.

 

Range Minimum
Range Maximum
Recruit
$50,645
$50,645
Police Officer 1
$50,947
$58,413
Police Officer 2
$54,891
$68,391
Police Officer 3
$61,488
$80,106
Sergeant
$70,715
$89,028
Lieutenant
$88,300
$119,200
Captain
$95,200
$133,300
Major
$109,400
$153,200

Benefits

  • All new officers are full-time employees of the City of Greenville and receive their full salary and benefits during training and while attending the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
  • Required uniforms and equipment are provided at no cost to officers
  • Training is provided at no cost to officers
  • Take home car program after successful completion of Field Training Program
  • Tuition reimbursement up to $5,000 per fiscal year for approved undergraduate and graduate courses
  • Scholarship opportunities for children of police officers through the Harold C Jennings Scholarship Foundation
  • Employee wellness programs
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Employee Health Center
  • Free visits with a nurse practitioner at the Employee Health Center
  • Comprehensive insurance & benefits plan
  • Family/medical leave
  • Military leave
  • Longevity bonuses paid every 5th year
  • 28-year retirement with pension
  • Supplemental elective 401k/457k
  • Retirement planning
  • 11 (8-hour) holidays per year
  • Annual leave time as follows:
    • 1st year of employment: 13 days
    • 2nd through 10th years: 18 days
    • 11th through 20th years: 23 days
    • 21st year and beyond: 28 days

Civilian Employment

Are you looking for civilian job opportunities in law enforcement? Consider working as a Communications Specialist in our 911 dispatch center. Interested in working for the City of Greenville in a non-sworn position? Check out all employment openings via the City of Greenville’s jobs portal.